Mechanism for varying diameter of a body

ABSTRACT

The mechanism for varying the diameter of a body is carried within a generally hollow handle or cylindrical member having wall plates for defining the wall structure of the handle or the cylindrical body and which are arranged for radial movement. A rotatable sleeve or shaft is carried within the hollow portion of the handle and is axially arranged therein. An expander assembly is carried on the sleeve or shaft and engages the wall plates. A means for engaging the sleeve or shaft so as to cause rotation thereof within the handle is provided so that rotational movement may be imparted thereto. Upon rotation of the sleeve or shaft, the expander element will be caused to exert radial pressure against the walls so as to expand them and increase the diameter of the handle or body. The expander assembly is attached to the wall plates so that upon rotation of the sleeve or shaft in the opposite direction, an inward radial force will be exerted on the walls by a collapsing movement of the expander so as to decrease the diameter of the outer walls.

United States Patent [191 Schwartz et a1.

[ 1 Oct. 28, 1975 MECHANISM FOR VARYING DIAMETER OF A BODY [76] Inventors: Allan E. Schwartz, 3 Bristol Place,

- Yonkers, NY. 10710; Richard E.

Frenkel, 17 Kingston Road, Scarsdale, NY. 10583 [22] Filed: Mar. 14, 1973 [21] Appl. No.: 341,157

[52] US. Cl 74/89.l5; 273/81 D [51] Int. Cl. Fl6h 27/02 [58] Field of Search 74/510, 547, 89.15; 285/338; 273/81 R, 81 A, 81 B, 81 C, 81 D [56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 402,600 5/1889 Kemp 285/338 1,056,788 3/1913 Harris 74/89.l5 1,612,446 12/1926 Larson 74/547 1,960,089 5/1934 Rabb 74/89.l5 2,576,751 11/1951 Dortmund. 273/81 D 2,758,664 8/1956 Koenig 285/338 3,082,606 3/1963 Calciane 285/338 3,107,687 10/1963 Howe 285/338 III,"

Primary ExaminerWesley S. Ratliff, Jr. Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Arthur Dresner [5 7] ABSTRACT The mechanism for varying the diameter of a body is carried within a generally hollow handle or cylindrical member having wall plates for defining the wall structure of the handle or the cylindrical body and which are arranged for radial movement. A rotatable sleeve or shaft is carried within the hollow portion of the handle and is axially arranged therein. An expander assembly is carried on the sleeve or shaft and engages the wall plates. A means for engaging the sleeve or shaft so as to cause rotation thereof within the handle is provided so that rotational movement may be imparted thereto. Upon rotation of the sleeve or shaft, the expander element will be caused to exert radial pressure against the walls so as to expand them and increase the diameter of the handle or body. The expander assembly is attachedto the wall plates so that upon rotation of the sleeve or shaft in the opposite direction, an inward radial force will be exerted on the walls by a collapsing movement of the expander so as to decrease the diameter of the outer walls.

12 Claims, 13 Drawing Figures US. Patent" 0a. 28, 1975 Sheet 1 of4 3,915,021

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US. Patent Oct. 28, 1975 Sheet20f4 915,021

FIE/2 U atsnt 0a.- 28, 1975 Sheet 3 of4 3,915,021

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ff W F6 US. Patent Oct.28, 1975 Sheet4of4 3,915,2

REMOTE SENSOR MECHANISM FOR VARYING DIAMETER OF A BODY BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates generally to the area of handheld devices, such as tools, sporting equipment, household and garden equipment, writing implements, etc..., or to other generally cylindrical bodies, and more specifically to a mechanism for varying the diameter of such bodies or hand-held devices in order to make the handle more comfortable for use, or the body more useful in a variety of applications.

The mechanism forming the subject of the present invention is also useful for varying the diameter of any substantially cylindrical body whether it be useful as a handle or not. For example, the diameter of rollers which may be used as guide means in sheet feeding or web feeding apparatus such as printing or reproducing devices, may be varied through the use of this mechanism. In such cases additional means may be provided remote from the body for effecting the required adjustments. Also, the calibre of various types of ordnance may be quickly and conveniently varied through the use of the mechanism according to the present invention.

Various hand-held tools or appliances are typically manufactured with a single standard grip for handle size as the manufacture of a variety of sizes which would comfortably fit the infinite sizes of the hand for different people would be excessively costly and probably confusing to the consumer. However, the use of a tool would be rendered more efficient if the handle size would be designed to fit the hand of its particular user. Only in a select few areas such as tennis rackets are a variety of grip or handle sizes available to the consumer. Even in this area however, a large number of grip sizes must be stocked by the supplier so that the consumer will have his choice. It would be of significant advantage if the suppliers stock would be standardized so that only a single handle or grip with a means for varying the size of the handle so as to comply with the particular consumers requirements could be stocked. Other areas of sports would suggest the desirability of varying the handle sizes, such as in golf, fishing rods, ski pole handles, poles used in pole vaulting, etc.. It appears, however, that varieties of handle sizes in these areas have not been made available to the consumer and it is accordingly one object of the present invention to provide a convenient and easy means for providing a variable handle or grip size to the sportsman in any sports activity where the sporting implement is to be hand-held.

. An almost infinite number of uses for such a mechanism can be envisioned. It will be appreciated that any hand-held tool or device having a handle or grip may be provided with a mechanism for varying the size of that handle or grip so that it may be more comfortably and efficiently used for its intended purpose. Such tools such as trowels, hammers, screw drivers, socket wrenches, chisels, soldering irons, hacksaws, woodsaws, wrenches, etc., would be particular tools where variable diameter handles would be quite useful and advantageous. Electric hand-held tools such as electric drills, saws, hedge trimmers, etc. may also be provided with such a mechanism. A variety of household appliances such as irons, razor blade handles, electric knives, hand-held hairdryers, electric toothbrushes,

cooking utensils, pot handles, etc. are also devices which would be rendered more attractive and useful to the consumer if supplied with the simple .mechanism according to the present invention for varying its size. A variety of medical equipment, such as surgeons and dentists tools would be more useful when supplied with the added facility of varying its handle size.

Such a mechanism may also be used for varying the size of the grip on writing implements, precision tools for watchmaking, etc. The use of such a mechanism in writing implements is of particular interest since many of these are already provided. in a variety of diameter sizes. The provision of such means in a writing implement will also serve to lessen the effects of writing fatigue by providing the user with means for varying the size of the finger grip area.

It is accordingly the general object of the present invention to provide a simple and easy to use mechanism which may be incorporated in any handle or grip intended for hand-held use so as to vary its size in order to fit the hand more comfortably.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a means for varying the gripon the handle of a sporting implement, tool implement or household appliance intended for hand-held use without removing the handle from implement, tool or apparatus.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mechanism for varying the calibre size of various types of ordnance such as bullets, projectiles, bombs, torpedos, rockets, missiles or drones, thus providing universal calibre ordnance.

It is another object of the invention to provide a mechanism for varying the finger grip size of various types of writing implements.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a mechanism for varying the diameter of a grip or cylindrical body by simple rotation of an element of said mechanism which is conveniently accessible from the exterior of the handle.

It is still a further object to provide means which may be remote from the body for effecting the required adjustments. Such remote control means may be electrical, mechanical, sound responsive, temperature responsive, visible light responsive, laser responsive, pressure responsive or any other external stimuli to effect adjustment. Such means may be required when a mechanism according to the invention is applied to various control devices in vehicles, aircrafts, ships, etc..

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The foregoing and other objects of the present invention are generally achieved by providing a mechanism carried within a generally hollow handle or cylindrical body having'wall plates for defining the wall structure of the handle or body and which are arranged for radial movement. A shaft (or sleeve) is carried within the hollow portion of the handle being axially arranged therein and is provided with external threads along a portion of its length. An expander assembly is carried on the threaded portion of the shaft by an internally threaded ring and engages the wall plates. A means for engaging the shaft so as to cause rotation thereof within the handle is provided so that rotational movement may be imparted thereto and is carried by the handle or by the cylindrical body. Upon rotation of the shaft, the portion of the expander element which is carried by the threaded portion of the shaft will be axially moved along the shaft and the expander will be caused to exert radialpressure against the walls so as to expand them and increase the diameter of the handle or body. The expander assembly is attached to the wall plates so that upon rotation of the shaft in the opposite direction, an inward radial force will be exerted on the walls by a collapsing movement of the expander so as to decrease the diameter of the outer walls. A very simple construction of the mechanism according to the invention is achieved when the expander assembly comprises at least two flex elements substantially bow-shaped, and attached at one end thereof to an internally threaded ring carried on the threaded shaft, attached at its other end to a sliding ring, arranged for movement over the unthreaded portion of the shaft with the central portion of the bow secured to opposite wall plates. The diameter of the body can easily be varied by simply causing rotational movement of the shaft which will result in flexing of the flex elements either inwardly or outwardly so as to cause pressure to act against the wall plates. I

Another further desirable embodiment of the present invention is particularly suited for use in handles or hollow bodies having non-circular cross-sections. Of particular interest would be a handle having an octagonal cross-sectional shape such as is typically found in tennis rackets. The handle would include two opposed plate members forming the handle body and radially movable with respect to each other. A sleeve or shaft arranged for rotational movement within the handle is axially carried therein and the expander element carried on the shaft and engaging the opposed wall plates comprises an elliptically shaped body. The opposed vertices of the elliptical body engage opposite walls within the handle. Upon rotation of the shaft the elliptical body will be caused to rotate so that the vertices of the elliptical body will be moved from one point on the wall plate to another position on the wall plate. When the body is housed within an octagonal handle the different points of the wall will be located at different radial positions from the center of the handle so that the body will cause the plates to be moved radially with respect to the center of the handle thus changing the diameter of the handle. 7

Other objects, advantages and features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the invention in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a sectional view showing one embodiment of the present invention as applied to a hand-held tool for varying the diameter of its grip;

FIG. 2 is also a sectional view of a handle or substantially cylindrical member with the same mechanism for expanding the diameter thereof as shown in FIG. 1 with means for adjusting said mechaninsm through a right angle section;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a substantially curved cylindrical body or handle with the same embodiment for expanding the diameter thereof as shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, with means for adjusting said mechanism through said curved handle;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along lines IV-IV of FIG. 5 showing another embodiment of the invention for varying the diameter of a handle or cylindrical y;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view taken along lines V-V of FIG. 4 showing the mechanism of FIG. 4 in one operative position;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view similar to that of FIG. 5 showing the mechanism of FIG. 4 for expanding the diameter of the handle in another operative position;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a further embodiment of the present invention as applied to another type of hand-held tool;

FIG. 8 is a partial sectional view showing one means of adjusting the mechanism according to the invention;

FIG. 9 is a sectional elevational view showing a writing implement having means for expanding its finger grip area;

FIG. 10 is a perspective view showing one detail of the writing implement shown in FIG. 9;

FIG. 1 l is a sectional view showing the present invention as applied to a bullet or other type of ammunition; and

FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the expander used with the ammunition of FIG. 11.

FIG. 13 is a schematic representation of remote control adjustment of the expander.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now in detail to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one type of hand-held tool, particularly a screwdriver, having a handle 10 and a shank 11 which would carry the tool implement such as a screwdriver tip or other such implement like a socket. The shank 11 may be secured to a neck 13 and provided with an internally threaded area 14. The handle 10 is generally hollow and carries a bolt 15 axially extending the length of the handle. The bolt has an externally threaded portion 16 which is arranged for engagement with internal threads 14 on the shank so that the handle may be secured to the shank. The handle is provided with upper and lower support blocks 17 and 18 respectively. These blocks may be formed of pre-molded plastic material. The cross-sectional shape of the handle may be circular, octagonal, or other convenient shape. In any event, the walls of the handle are supported by wall plates 19 which conform to the crosssectional shape of the handle. A hollow metal sleeve 20 is centrally and axially arranged through the handle 10. Upper block 17 has a partial bore 27 for accommodating the sleeve and lower block 18 has a bore 28 through which the sleeve passes. The bolt 15 is carried within the sleeve 20 and is joumalled between teflon O-ring bearings 29 and 30. A roll pin or flange 25 is carried by bolt 15 and engages a shoulder 37 of bore 27 so as to prevent axial movement of bolt 15 when it is secured to the shank 11. The sleeve 20 has an externally threaded portion 21. An expander assembly is carried on the threaded portion of the sleeve for expanding the external diameter of the handle. The expander assembly exerts a force on wall plates 19 which will exert pressure on flexible grip 22 thus varying the outer dimension of grip area of the handle.

The expander assembly comprises at two flex elements 31 and 32 for expanding the handle in at least two directions. Additional flex elements may be carried on the sleeve so as to expand the size of the handle in additional directions. Each flex element is substantially bow-shaped and is secured at its central area to the wall plates 19. Each flex element is preferably made of spring steel and is connected at one end to a slide ring 33 arranged for axial sliding movement along the sleeve 20. The other end of the flex elements are secured to an internally threaded ring 34 which is in engagement with the external threads on the sleeve. The flex elements may be secured to the wall plates, slide ring and threaded ring such as by spot welding or riveting.

Sleeve 20 has a slot 35 at one end thereof which is exposed through bore 28. Rotation of the sleeve 20 may be effected by applying a tool to the slotted end 35 and rotating the tool while in the slot.

Alternative means for causing rotation of the sleeve 20 and bolt may be carried by the sleeve and bolt directly as shown in FIG. 8. A bolt removal key 91 is pivotally carried at the end of bolt 15 and may be recessed within enlarged diameter portion 93 of sleeve 20. The sleeve carries an adjustment key 92 which may be carried in recess 94 of support block 18 when not in use.

Upon such rotation, in one direction, threaded ring 34 will be caused to axially move along sleeve 20 in a direction away from the slotted end of the sleeve. This is a result of the bowed portion of the flex elements being secured to the wall plates. Simultaneously, slide ring 33 will slide along the unthreaded portion of the sleeve in a direction opposite to that of ring 34. As a result, flex elements 31 and 32 will be casued to exert an outward pressure against the wall plates thus expanding the outside dimensions of the handle. Upon rotation of the sleeve in the opposite direction internally threaded ring 34 will move in a direction toward the slotted end 35 of sleeve 20 and slide ring 33 will move in an opposite direction, thus causing flex elements 31 and 32 to exert an inwardly directed pressure on the wall plates, thus resulting in collapsing of the flex elements and a decrease in the outside dimension of the handle.

In FIG. 2, an L-shaped handle is provided with the expander mechanism in one leg 41 of the handle only. Leg 41 is attached via means of screws 42 to an instrument or tool shaft 43. The screws 42 are shown broken away so as not to interfere with a clear understanding of the expander mechanism, and are provided with ends 42 which are externally threaded so as to engage internally threaded slots 44 provided within the handle body so as to provide securement means.

The handle is provided with a grip 22 as in FIG. 1, and a similar expander mechanism comprising rotatably carried sleeve 20 with threaded portion 21, flex elements 31 and 32 carried on slide rings 33 and 34 are provided within leg 41 of the handle 40. A solid shaft may be provided instead of hollow sleeve 20. The bowed-out portions of the flex elements 31 and 32 are secured to wall plates 19. The rotation of the sleeve 20 so as to effect expansion of the handle portion 41 is effected through the gear and shaft arrangement carried within leg portion 45 of the handle 40. A first shaft 46 is axially oriented with respect to sleeve 20 and carries a key 47 for engaging slotted-end 35 of the sleeve. A molded bearing 48 is provided for joumalling the shaft 46. A first beveled gear 49 is carried at the end of shaft 46 opposite the key 47. A second shaft 51 is carried within leg 45 being supported by molded bearing 48 and an end adjusting nut 52. A second beveled gear 50 is carried at the end of shaft 51 remote from the nut 52 and in engagement with the first beveled gear 49. As a result of adjustment of end nut 52, which may be effected by use of a key such as shown in FIGLS, rotational movement may be imparted to shaft 51 and transmitted through the beveled gear arrangement 49, 50 to shaft 46 so as to cause rotational movement of the sleeve 20 thus effecting expansion of the leg 41 of L- shaped handle 40.

FIG. 3 shows another type of handle which is curved such as might be used on an umbrella. The handle 60 has a portion 61 which is usually held by the user of the umbrella. It is to this portion which the expander assembly is applied. Two screws 62 shown broken away, have threaded ends and are secured in internally threaded slots 63 of the molded handle body 64 for securing the handle to the umbrella shaft 65. Like parts of the expander assembly are designated by like reference numerals as in FIGS. 1 and 2 and further explanation is not believed necessary. It should be noted however that a solid shaft 20 is employed instead of sleeve 20. A flexible shaft 66 is carried in the curved portion of the handle and is provided with a key 67 for engaging the slotted end 35 of the sleeve 20. The flexible shaft is supported at the other end of the handle by adjusting nut 68 and upon adjustment thereof rotation will be imparted to the flexible shaft so as to transmit rotation to the sleeve and effect adjustment of the outer diameter of the handle portion 61.

FIG. 7 shows the application of the expander using the rotating sleeve as applied to the handle 70 of a hand saw. In this embodiment only the rear surface 71 of the handle will be effected by expansion or contraction of the flex element 31 as only this single flex element is provided. The rotating sleeve 20 is supported between handle bodies 72 and 73. The handle body 73 has a bore 74 for accommodating the sleeve and handle body 72 has a bore 75 for accommodating the other end of the sleeve. The single flex element is carried on rings 33 and 34 and is secured at its bowed-out portion to the wall plate 19 at 76. As in the previous embodiments, a flexible grip 22 covers the hand-held area of the handle. Finger guard 78 enclosing the finger space 79 is hingedly connected to handle body portion 73 atone end thereof and secured in place at its other end by screw 80. The finger guard may be lowered by removing screw 80 thus allowing removal of the grip 22 and replacement thereof if necessary.

A further embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 4, 5 and 6. This embodiment is particularly suited for use in non-circular cross-sectional handles or bodies such as a typical tennis racket having an octagonal handle. FIG. 4 shows such a handle in crosssectional view. The handle body is substantially hollow and is supported by wall plates 81 and 82. The usual grip covering of 22 is carried by the handle. A sleeve or shaft 83 is axially supported within the hollow handle and has a slotted end 84 exposed at one end of the handle. Rotation of the sleeve may be effected by application of an appropriate tool within slot 84. A key, such as key 91 carried by bolt 15 in FIG. 8 may also be carried by shaft 83 for effecting rotation thereof instead of slotted end 84. An expander element 85 is carried by the sleeve 83. The expander element 85 is substantially elliptical in cross-section with its vertices 86 and 87 engaging opposite wall plates 81 and 82 respectively. Upon rotation of the sleeve 83 the expander element 85 will rotate in the same direction acting on opposite wall plates 81 and 82 in a cam-like manner. FIG. 6 shows the handle in its unexpanded position with the vertices 86 and 87 of the expander element located within opposite angles of the octagonal cross-sectional handle. Upon rotation of sleeve 83, the expander element may be moved to the position shown in FIG. with vertices 86 and 87 located adjacent opposite parallel sides which in the position of FIG. 6 are located closer to the center of the handle so that the handle is spread apart upon movement to the position of FIG. 5.

Additional means may be provided such as spring elements between wall plates 81 and 82 so as to cause the opposite sides of the handle to move-together upon subsequent rotation of the expander element back to the position shown in FIG. 6.

The expander element 85 may be formed by a series of cam-like expander elements rather than a single ex tended element. FIG. 4 shows two such elements.

In FIG. 9. there is shown a writing implement 95 having an upper casing 96 and a lower casing 97. The lower casing 97 is connected to tip 100 by struts 97 as shown in FIG. 10. The upper and lower casings have external and internal threads respectively for joining one to the other in the typical well-known fashion. The implement may be provided with the typical springloaded ink cartridge 98. A finger grip area 99 is carried by the lower casing 97 between struts 97 and is provided with at least two movable walls 101 and 102 arranged similar to wall plates 81 and 82 of FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 having octagonal internal surface while the outside surface is substantially circular. A hollow sleeve 103 is axially supported within the casing and carries the ink cartridge. An expander element 85 is carried by the sleeve 103. The expander 85 is elliptical as described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 and upon rotation of the sleeve 103 will exert pressure on walls 101 and 102 to cause variation of its diameter. An additional expander 85' may be provided in the tapered section of the finger grip area. Sleeve 103 has a knurled end 104 to facilitate causing rotation. Thus a writing implement is provided having means for varying the diameter of the finger grip area.

Another area of use for the present invention is in various types of ammunition and other ordnance to provide variable calibre ammunition. In the various catagories of ammunition, such as, fixed, semi-fixed, separate loading and propellant, an expandable outer casing may be fitted over the cartridge case in fixed ammunition, and over the projectile shell for larger ammunition. Such an arrangement is shown in FIGS. 11 and 12. A shell 1 carrying an explosive charge has a narrowed section 111 which carries a rotatable sleeve 1 12. An expander element 85 of elliptical cross-section of the type described with reference to FIGS. 4, 5, and 6 is carried on the sleeve 112. The expander engages a pair of non-circular opposed wall casings 113 and 1 14,

,having octagonal internal surfaces and a substantially circular outer surface. The sleeve has a knurled flanged end 116 to facilitate its rotation. Upon such rotation the expander element 85 will exert pressure on the wall casings 113 and 114 so as to vary the diameter between them. Thus, a shell having means for adjusting its diameter to vary its calibre is provided so as to be fit for use in a variety of gun barrel sizes.

FIG. 13 schematically shows means for adjusting the expander mechanism which may be carried in a cylinder for varying its diameter, such as may be used in a printing press, brake drums, etc.. Expandible wall plates 106 and 107 would be carried within the cylinder. Shaft 108 is rotatably arranged within the wall plates and carries an expander mechanism such as elements described in the previous embodiments. Upon rotation of shaft 108 the expanders will exert a force upon the wall plates to vary the diameter of the cylindrical body. A motor 109 may be housed within the cylinder, or otherwise conveniently mounted so that its output shaft 110 is coupled to shaft 108 in order to cause rotation thereof. The motor may be energized by a remote sensor 111 which may be actuated by a variety of external stimuli.

The mechanism as shown in the embodiments of FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 may also be used for expanding the outside dimensions of a tennis or other game racket handle having an octagonal cross-section. Such an arrangement is shown in applicants co-pending application Ser. No. 341,156, now Pat. No. 3,835,318 filed concurrently herewith.

While the invention has been described and illustrated with respect to certain embodiments which give satisfactory results, it will be understood by those skilled in the art, after understanding the purpose of the invention that various other changes and modifications may be made without department from the spirit and scope of the invention, and it is therefore intended in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications.

What we claim is:

1. A grip for a hand-held implement comprising a substantially hollow expandable grip body, movable wall plates supporting the sides of said expandable body and arranged for radial movement, flexible grip means covering said wall plates about the exterior of said grip, a rotatable member axially carried within said grip, said rotatable member having a partially threaded exterior portion, and an unthreaded portion, at least one bow-shaped flex member carried on said rotatable member and bearing against said wall plate, a slide ring slidably carried on the unthreaded portion of said rotatable member, and an internally threaded ring carried on the threaded portion of said rotatable member, one end of said bow-shaped flex element, being secured to the slide ring, the other end of said bow-shaped element being secured to said internally threaded ring, and the bowed-out portion of said bow-shaped element being secured to one of said wall plates, so that said rings will be axially advanced toward each other when said rotatable member is rotated in one direction thus causing said bowed-out element to exert an outward pressure on said wall plate so as to expand said grip and so that said rings will be axially moved apart when said rotatable member is rotated in the opposite direction thus causing said bow-shaped flex element to exert an inward pressure on said wall plate so as to decrease the diameter of said grip.

2. The grip according to claim 1 further comprising means carried within said grip engaging one end of said rotatable member and extending externally of said grip for causing rotation of said member.

3. The grip according to claim 2 wherein said means for causing rotation of said member is a key carried at one end of said member.

4. A grip for a hand-held implement comprising a substantially hollow grip body, movable wall plates supporting the sides of said body and arranged for radial movement, flexible grip means covering the exterior of said grip, and adjustment means carried within said grip body engaging said wall plate for varying the outside dimension of said grip, comprising a rotatable member axially carried within said grip, at least one cam element having a profiled circumference carried on said member and bearing against said wall plate, said cam element arranged for rotation with said member so that upon rotation of said member said cam element will exert an outward pressure against said wall plate thus causing expansion of said grip diameter, and means connected to said wall plate for decreasing said diameter.

5. A mechanism for varying the diameter of a substantially hollow body having expandable outer walls comprising radially movable wall plates adjacent said outer walls of said body, a rotatable member having a threaded portion and axially carried within said body, an expander carried on said rotatable member and secured to at least one of said wall plates, said expander comprising a bow shaped flex member at least one end of which is supported on said threaded portion, the bowed out portion thereof being secured to said wall plate, said expander arranged for movement upon rotation of said rotatable member to exert a radial force on said wall plate so as to cause expansion of said outer walls, and means for rotating said rotatable member to cause movement of said expander to vary the diameter of said body.

6. The mechanism according to claim wherein said means for rotating said rotatable member is remote from said body.

7. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said rotatable member is a solid shaft.

8. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said means for rotating said rotatable member comprises an electric motor coupled to said rotatable member, and remote sensor means coupled to said motor for energizing said motor upon actuation thereof by external stimuli.

9. A mechanism for varying the diameter of a substantially hollow body having expandable outer walls comprising radially movable wall plates adjacent said outer walls of said body, a rotatable member axially carried within said body, an expander carried on said rotatable member and engaging at least one of said wall plates, said expander arranged for movement upon rotation of said rotatable member to exert a radial force on said wall plate so as to cause expansion of said outer walls, and means for rotating said rotatable member to cause movement of said expander to vary the diameter of said body, said rotatable member having a circular cross-section and a partially threaded exterior, said expander comprising at least one flex member carried on said rotatable member and bearing against said wall plate so that when said rotatable member is caused to rotate, said flex member will exert a force on said wall plate thus causing expansion of said body, a slide ring slidably carried on theunthreaded portion of said rotatable member, and an intemally threaded ring carried on the threaded portion of said rotatable member, said flex member being a bow-shaped element, one end of said bow-shaped element being secured to the slide ring, the other end of said bow-shaped element being secured to said internally threaded ring, and the bowed-out portion of said bow-shaped element being secured to oneof said wall plates, so that said rings will be axially advanced toward each other when said rotatable member is rotated in one direction thus causing said bowed-out element to exert an outward pressure on said wall plate so as toexp and said body, and so that said rings'will be axially moved apart when said rotatable member is rotated in the opposite direction thus causing said bowed-out element to exert an inward pressure on said wall plate so as to decrease the diameter of said body.

10. A mechanism for varying the diameter of a substantiallyhollow body comprising radially movable wall plates adjacent the inner .wallsof said body, a rotatable member axially carried within said body, an expander carried on said rotatable member and engaging at least one of said wall plates, said expander arranged for movement upon rotation of said rotatable member thus exerting a force on said wall plate, and means for rotating said rotatable member to cause movement of said expander to vary the diameter of said body, said expander comprising at least one cam element carried on said rotatable member, said expander being in engagement with said wall plate so that upon rotation of said rotatable member said cam element will exert an outward pressure against said wall plate thus causing variation in the diameter of said body.

11. In combination with the mechanism according to claim 10, a writing implement comprising an outer casing and a finger grip area, carried by said casing, said rotatable member comprising a sleeve accommodating axially therethrough an element for producing marks, said movable wall plates forming said finger grip area so that upon rotation of said sleeve the diameter of said finger grip area will be varied.

12. In combination with the mechanism according to claim 10, an ordnance projectile comprising a shell, and an expandableouter casing to be fitted over said shell, said shell having a centrally narrowed section so as to form a substantially hollow portion for accommodating said rotatable member and said expander element, said rotatable member'being a hollow sleeve carried about said narrowed section, said wall plates comprising casings having a non-circular internal surface, so that upon rotation of said sleeve said wall plates will be radially moved thus varying'the diameter of said expandable casing when fitted over said shell to vary the calibre of said ordnance.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION PATENT NO. 3,915,021

DATED October 28, 1975 INVENTOR(S) Allan E. Schwartz and Richard E. Frenkel It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shrpwn below: 9

IN THE DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Column 4, line 61, after "at", insert --least--;

. Column 8, line 15, change "3,835,318" to -3,833,2l8--.

Signed and Sealed this Q twenty-fourth Day Of February 1976 [SEAL] Arrest:

6 RUTH C. MASON C. MARSHALL DANN Arresting Officer (mnmr'ssioncr iij'ParenIs and Trademarks 

1. A grip for a hand-held implement comprising a substantially hollow expandable grip body, movable wall plates supporting the sides of said expandable body and arranged for radial movement, flexible grip means covering said wall plates about the exterior of said grip, a rotatable member axially carried within said grip, said rotatable member having a partially threaded exterior portion, and an unthreaded portion, at least one bow-shaped flex member carried on said rotatable member and bearing against said wall plate, a slide ring slidably carried on the unthreaded portion of said rotatable member, and an internally threaded ring carried on the threaded portion of said rotatable member, one end of said bow-shaped flex element being secured to the slide rIng, the other end of said bow-shaped element being secured to said internally threaded ring, and the bowed-out portion of said bowshaped element being secured to one of said wall plates, so that said rings will be axially advanced toward each other when said rotatable member is rotated in one direction thus causing said bowed-out element to exert an outward pressure on said wall plate so as to expand said grip and so that said rings will be axially moved apart when said rotatable member is rotated in the opposite direction thus causing said bow-shaped flex element to exert an inward pressure on said wall plate so as to decrease the diameter of said grip.
 2. The grip according to claim 1 further comprising means carried within said grip engaging one end of said rotatable member and extending externally of said grip for causing rotation of said member.
 3. The grip according to claim 2 wherein said means for causing rotation of said member is a key carried at one end of said member.
 4. A grip for a hand-held implement comprising a substantially hollow grip body, movable wall plates supporting the sides of said body and arranged for radial movement, flexible grip means covering the exterior of said grip, and adjustment means carried within said grip body engaging said wall plate for varying the outside dimension of said grip, comprising a rotatable member axially carried within said grip, at least one cam element having a profiled circumference carried on said member and bearing against said wall plate, said cam element arranged for rotation with said member so that upon rotation of said member said cam element will exert an outward pressure against said wall plate thus causing expansion of said grip diameter, and means connected to said wall plate for decreasing said diameter.
 5. A mechanism for varying the diameter of a substantially hollow body having expandable outer walls comprising radially movable wall plates adjacent said outer walls of said body, a rotatable member having a threaded portion and axially carried within said body, an expander carried on said rotatable member and secured to at least one of said wall plates, said expander comprising a bow shaped flex member at least one end of which is supported on said threaded portion, the bowed out portion thereof being secured to said wall plate, said expander arranged for movement upon rotation of said rotatable member to exert a radial force on said wall plate so as to cause expansion of said outer walls, and means for rotating said rotatable member to cause movement of said expander to vary the diameter of said body.
 6. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said means for rotating said rotatable member is remote from said body.
 7. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said rotatable member is a solid shaft.
 8. The mechanism according to claim 5 wherein said means for rotating said rotatable member comprises an electric motor coupled to said rotatable member, and remote sensor means coupled to said motor for energizing said motor upon actuation thereof by external stimuli.
 9. A mechanism for varying the diameter of a substantially hollow body having expandable outer walls comprising radially movable wall plates adjacent said outer walls of said body, a rotatable member axially carried within said body, an expander carried on said rotatable member and engaging at least one of said wall plates, said expander arranged for movement upon rotation of said rotatable member to exert a radial force on said wall plate so as to cause expansion of said outer walls, and means for rotating said rotatable member to cause movement of said expander to vary the diameter of said body, said rotatable member having a circular cross-section and a partially threaded exterior, said expander comprising at least one flex member carried on said rotatable member and bearing against said wall plate so that when said rotatable member is caused to rotate, said flex member will exert a force on said wAll plate thus causing expansion of said body, a slide ring slidably carried on the unthreaded portion of said rotatable member, and an internally threaded ring carried on the threaded portion of said rotatable member, said flex member being a bow-shaped element, one end of said bow-shaped element being secured to the slide ring, the other end of said bow-shaped element being secured to said internally threaded ring, and the bowed-out portion of said bow-shaped element being secured to one of said wall plates, so that said rings will be axially advanced toward each other when said rotatable member is rotated in one direction thus causing said bowed-out element to exert an outward pressure on said wall plate so as to expand said body, and so that said rings will be axially moved apart when said rotatable member is rotated in the opposite direction thus causing said bowed-out element to exert an inward pressure on said wall plate so as to decrease the diameter of said body.
 10. A mechanism for varying the diameter of a substantially hollow body comprising radially movable wall plates adjacent the inner walls of said body, a rotatable member axially carried within said body, an expander carried on said rotatable member and engaging at least one of said wall plates, said expander arranged for movement upon rotation of said rotatable member thus exerting a force on said wall plate, and means for rotating said rotatable member to cause movement of said expander to vary the diameter of said body, said expander comprising at least one cam element carried on said rotatable member, said expander being in engagement with said wall plate so that upon rotation of said rotatable member said cam element will exert an outward pressure against said wall plate thus causing variation in the diameter of said body.
 11. In combination with the mechanism according to claim 10, a writing implement comprising an outer casing and a finger grip area, carried by said casing, said rotatable member comprising a sleeve accommodating axially therethrough an element for producing marks, said movable wall plates forming said finger grip area so that upon rotation of said sleeve the diameter of said finger grip area will be varied.
 12. In combination with the mechanism according to claim 10, an ordnance projectile comprising a shell, and an expandable outer casing to be fitted over said shell, said shell having a centrally narrowed section so as to form a substantially hollow portion for accommodating said rotatable member and said expander element, said rotatable member being a hollow sleeve carried about said narrowed section, said wall plates comprising casings having a non-circular internal surface, so that upon rotation of said sleeve said wall plates will be radially moved thus varying the diameter of said expandable casing when fitted over said shell to vary the calibre of said ordnance. 